Vandal Vibe Newsletter

Happy 2021, dear Vandals!

I hope this finds you and yours healthy and not too distressed by the events of the past week or so. Despite what is happening at the national level, I remain optimistic about the coming year. I am knocking on wood, crossing my fingers and throwing salt over my shoulder when I say 2021 will evolve into something better than last year. Let’s hope all of that works!

Superstitions aside, my optimism about our alma mater is deeply rooted in fact. There are so many amazing things happening in the classroom, in the lab, in the field and around the state, it’s easy to be proud and confident about our future. When you understand the magnitude of what the University of Idaho accomplished by providing in-person instruction last fall safely and successfully, it’s easy to trust our positive impact on students, alumni, the state and nation will continue.

But you don’t have to take my word for it. Outside sources see and are recognizing the best parts of the institution we all love. And, our friends in University Communications and Marketing have gathered all of those wonderful proof points in a single spot.

Check out the new U of I Rankings, Statistics and Facts web site. The information is organized in a variety of categories, including academic excellence and value, and I can guarantee you will learn a lot.

It’s nice to be able to throw in a statistic or honor or ranking when we’re bragging about U of I, and now we have an easy, one-stop shop to get them. 2021 is looking brighter already.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Jan. 28 – Thirsty Thursday Trivia with the VandalStore, virtual
Feb. 6-8 – Grand Targhee Vandal Ski Day, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Feb. 13 – Brundage Vandal Ski Day, McCall, Idaho
Feb. 14 – Tamarack Vandal Ski Day, Tamarack, Idaho
Feb. 18 – Vandal Trivia Night, virtual
Feb. 27 – Lookout Pass Vandal Ski Day, Mullen, Idaho

For information about events, visit the alumni calendar. Check the Vandal Scholarship Fund website for the latest info about VSF events.

University Alum Joins California Academy of Sciences as Assistant Curator

Sarah Jacobs was fulfilling a dream to become a physician when a daffodil redirected her career path.

More interested in the human circulatory system than a plant’s xylem and phloem, Jacobs put off enrolling in undergraduate botany until her senior year in general science.

“I didn’t think I was going to be that interested,” said Jacobs, who earned a doctorate in biology at the University of Idaho. As part of the required botany course she dissected a daffodil and examined it under magnification.

“I had dissected a lot of other really gross things,” Jacobs said.

The dissected daffodil, however, stunned her.

Read More >>

Vandal Innovation Headed to the Space Station

A University of Idaho College of Engineering team is one of five groups selected nationwide for NASA’s Student Payload Opportunity With Citizen Science program to build an experiment that will fly to and return from the International Space Station. The team will spend spring semester researching how microgravity impacts the efficacy of polymers known to resist bacteria on Earth. Members include chemical engineering seniors Adriana Bryant, Niko Hansen, Hannah Johnson, Travis Lindsay, Roslyn McCormack and Kael Stelck.

Synthesizing two types of polymers, the team will test the ability of these molecules to resist bacteria on an aluminum alloy that is utilized for many high-contact areas throughout the International Space Station, such as hand rails and door handles.

As part of the NASA-funded project, teams are expected to involve K-12 students in their research. The U of I team also plans this spring to equip 240 Russell Elementary School third- through fifth-graders with experiment kits that include these bacteria-resistant polymers, to help test and validate their abilities.

Read More >>

Alumni Programs Highlight

Homecoming: Save the Date
Mark your calendars with a big star on October 3-9, 2021 for Vandal Homecoming Week. More details coming soon.

Vandal Business Directory
Whose business can you support in this new year? Check the over 150 listings of Vandal-owned businesses.
Learn More >>

Vandal Voyagers Travel Options
Vandals everywhere are thinking about where they will travel next. Browse our many options for national and international ventures.
Learn More >>

Conversations with Vandals Now Online
Catch our popular virtual series "Cup of Joe" recordings online and learn from some of our favorite Vandals.
Start Watching >>

Alumni News

College of Law alumnus and Idaho native Brady Hall ’03, has been appointed to serve as General Counsel for the Office of the Governor.
Read More >>

College of Science and Idaho Women's Basketball standout Mikayla Ferenz '19 has been named as an assistant coach for the Whitman College women's basketball program.
Read More >>

Share Your News

Dear Vandals,

When the University of Idaho marks the 132^nd anniversary of its founding on Saturday, I hope we all pause to think about everything our alma mater has done for each of us, the state of Idaho, the region and nation. The lasting impact of its teaching, research and outreach on individual lives, business, science, industry and the state’s economy is impressive.

And what about the next 132 years? What does the University of Idaho’s pact with the people, state and region it serves look like between now and 2153? What challenges will we meet? What opportunities will we create? What dreams will we realize?

I don’t own a crystal ball, although what an amazing asset that would be! Despite that, I know and have confidence in the foundational work our alma mater has undertaken to set the stage for an even brighter and more prosperous future.

Under President Scott Green’s leadership, we have right-sized our budget – not an easy task, but a necessary one to ensure a stable base for the future. We have demonstrated we can pivot quickly to serve our constituents; the fact that we are able to safely deliver in-person classes during a pandemic is testament to that. Spurred on by the pandemic, we’ve invested in new technology and broadband capacity; the advances we’ve made in offering U of I’s transformational education wherever students may be living and working bode well for a future sure to be fueled by technology and distance learning.

Another foundational step forward is the engagement of the Vandal Family. We have more active alumni chapters than we’ve ever had. Just in the past year, hundreds of you have written more than 5,000 cards welcoming prospective students to join the Vandal Family. Thousands of you are proudly displaying the silver and gold in your classroom. Greek alumni are organizing to help better serve their chapters and the university. You have enthusiastically participated in our virtual programming – Cup of Joe, Thursday trivia and Wine Down Wednesdays. The unwavering support of Vandal alumni always has been and always will be critical to the university’s success.

Whatever the next 132 years bring, the university is positioned to tackle it with intelligence, energy and tenacity. There’s nothing like a strong foundation to inspire hope and optimism.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Jan. 28 – Thirsty Thursday Trivia with The VandalStore, virtual
Jan. 29 – Vandal Scholarship Fund Gala, virtual
Feb. 6 – Grand Targhee Vandal Ski Day, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Feb. 9 – Cup of Joe with Don Shelton, virtual
Feb. 13 – Brundage Vandal Ski Day, McCall, Idaho
Feb. 14 – Tamarack Vandal Ski Day, Tamarack, Idaho
Feb. 18 – Vandal Trivia Night, virtual
Feb. 20 – Bogus Basin Vandal Ski Day, Boise, Idaho
Feb. 24 – Gourmet Tailgate Cooking Class, virtual
Feb. 27 – Lookout Pass Vandal Ski Day, Mullen, Idaho
March 2 – Cup of Joe with Kelli Johnson, virtual

For information about events, visit the alumni calendar.

Check the Vandal Scholarship Fund website for the latest info about VSF events.

View the 2021 spring football schedule here.

Vandals Deliver A Life-Saving Gift

Engineering, WWAMI medical students build assistive CPR device to help more users, and those with disabilities, successfully perform CPR

For Megan Boll, being a successful physician is about building trust.

“There’s no way to effectively treat a patient if they don’t trust you,” Boll said. “One way to build that up is through one-on-one interactions.”

A second-year medical student in the Idaho WWAMI Medical Education Program, Boll uses a wheelchair, has limited motion in her arms and performs fine motor skills with a bionic glove. A spinal cord injury that caused impairment in all four quadrants of her body is also what got her interested in pursuing medicine.

Read More >>

Vandal Explorer Series: Glacier Surge in Alaska

After a decade of relative stability, Turner Glacier in southern Alaska shifted from a tortoise to a hare in 2020. It now scoots along at 65 feet a day instead of 3 feet a day. An abrupt, 10-fold increase in a glacier’s speed is referred to as glacial surge.

Read More >>

Alumni Programs Highlight

Pride Your Ride
By selecting a Vandal license plate, you chose to support student scholarships.
Learn More >>

Grow the Gold
Nominate a future student and they will receive engaging, targeted U of I materials to jump-start their college journey toward a meaningful career and lifelong success.
Learn More >>

Vandal Ski Days
Break out your silver and gold when you hit the slopes this season. U of I Alumni Association board members and local chapter leaders are set to greet you at several ski hills in February. Stop by and pick up a complimentary neck gaiter.
Learn More >>

Alumni News

College of Engineering graduate Michelle Reba '08 earns the 2020 USA Rice Sustainability Award recognizing her leadership and research in sustainable rice production.
Read More >>

Boise lawyer Andrew Brassey '74, '77 received the Excellence in Legal Defense award by the Idaho Association of Defense. He is recognized for his 40-plus year career, serving with professionalism, civility and a genuine approach.
Read More >>

Share Your News

Dear Vandals,

Serving the Vandal Family is a privilege I never take for granted, and one of the best parts is working with other Vandals investing their time, talent and treasure in our alma mater.

U of I alumni are writing cards to prospective students and nominating potential new Vandals through the Grow the Gold program. They are serving on the Greek Alumni Council. They are organizing alumni chapter events in their local areas – virtual now, but in-person soon.

One of the most active groups serving our fellow Vandals is the University of Idaho Alumni Association Board of Directors. They represent a wide range of ages, graduation dates, academic areas, professions and interests. They hail from throughout Idaho and other Vandal-rich areas of the country. The one thing they all have in common is a deep fondness for and commitment to the University of Idaho.

In the past several years, this board has helped to grow and support the alumni chapter system, served as a sounding board for the work of the Office of Alumni Relations as well as the university at large, and perhaps most importantly, found a way to support the new ICCU Arena and establish a formal Alumni Club in that new facility without depleting Association resources. Amazing work!

Last week, the board welcomed five more stellar Vandals to serve. Please join me in congratulating the newest members of the U of I Alumni Association Board of Directors:

• Mark Blickenstaff, ’16, Movement & Leisure Science, Castle Rock, Colorado
• Jake Carlson, ’13, Finance and Operations Management, Chicago, Illinois
• Erin Jessup, ’05, ’10, Engineering, Pullman, Washington
• Melissa Lowther, ’08, Accounting, Eagle, Idaho
• Andrew Morgan, ’15, Finance, Seattle, Washington

I appreciate the willingness of all alumni who choose to “give back” to an institution that has given all of us so much. There’s no better way to stay connected or reconnect than to serve.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Feb. 12 – Valentine's Day Paint Night, virtual
Feb. 13 – Brundage Vandal Ski Day, McCall, Idaho
Feb. 14 – Tamarack Vandal Ski Day, Tamarack, Idaho
Feb. 18 – Vandal Trivia Night, virtual
Feb. 20 – Bogus Basin Vandal Ski Day, Boise, Idaho
Feb. 24 – Gourmet Tailgate Cooking Class, virtual
Feb. 25-27 – Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, virtual
Feb. 27 – Lookout Pass Vandal Ski Day, Mullen, Idaho
Feb. 27 – Vandal Football Pregame, virtual
March 2 – Cup of Joe with Kelli Johnson '98, virtual

For information about events, visit the alumni calendar.  

Check the Vandal Scholarship Fund website for the latest info about VSF events.

View the 2021 spring football schedule here.

Distinguished Professor Celebrates 60 Years of Chemistry Research at U of I

University Distinguished Professor Jean’ne Shreeve celebrated 60 years with the University of Idaho chemistry department Feb. 1, a milestone that — along with Shreeve’s accomplishments — is a tough act to follow.

“Dr. Shreeve has had an illustrious career at the university,” said Ginger Carney, dean of the College of Science. “Her impact is far-reaching.”

Hired in 1961 by Malcolm Renfrew, who headed the department of physical science and for whom a campus building is named, Shreeve chaired the chemistry department for 14 years. She also served as the university’s vice president for research for 12 years.

For much of her career, Shreeve’s research focused on synthesizing compounds which contain fluorine, an extremely reactive element that can be used in rocket fuel oxidizers.

Read More >>

HAUS Builds the Way
Interdisciplinary Student Team Finds Solution to Construction Woes

A University of Idaho student team that worked with construction professionals to solve costly and labor-intensive industry hurdles earned $10,000 for its first-place win during the 2020 Hacking for Homebuilding reverse pitch-style competition.

The competition, hosted by Boise State Venture College, challenged students to find solutions to construction issues.

Read More >>

Powering the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Professionals
Watch the YouTube Video >>

Through the University of Idaho's cybersecurity program and our 30-year partnership with global power systems leader Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, our students receive world-class experiences in the cybersecurity field.

Read More >>

Alumni Programs Highlight

Print and mail Vandal-tines
It's almost Valentine's Day, and we're giving you the perfect opportunity to share love with dear ones near and far. Send a snail-mail hug to your Vandal-tine with a print-and-send postcard.
Print Now >>

Baby Booties
Submit your new family addition to Class Notes to receive these complimentary kicks and a Future Vandals certificate.
Learn More >>

Vandal Ski Days
Break out your silver and gold when you hit the slopes this season. U of I Alumni Association board members and local chapter leaders are set to greet you at several ski hills this winter. Stop by and pick up a complimentary neck gaiter.
Learn More >>

Alumni News

College of Engineering graduate David Oliver '18 received the Idaho Falls Community Spirit Award recognizing community figures for contributions to the city.
Read More >>

Riley Haun '20, College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences graduate, topped a field of 121 entries to win the Explanatory Reporting Award from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

Congrats, Riley!

Share Your News

Dear Vandals,

If the Lionel Hampton School of Music had a slogan, it should be something like “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Or “necessity is the mother of invention.” Or “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

Every one of these describes what the school’s faculty and staff have been living for the past year.

When in-person classes resumed last fall at our alma mater, music faculty moved to teaching under tents on the tennis courts outside the Administration Building. They were able to continue the one-on-one instruction so critical to music majors, but still socially distance.

When there was no way to safely hold the traditional holiday concert in person, Director Spencer Martin '99 and members of the Sound of Idaho Vandal Marching Band channeled their inner percussionist. Using nothing but plastic cups and percussion instruments, they donned their masks and Santa hats and created a one-of-a-kind performance that helped all of us celebrate the season a little more joyfully.

And, now, with pandemic restrictions still in place, the School of Music has found a way to hold the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival virtually. Since the beginning of this month, registered schools have been participating in online workshops with professional jazz musicians and vocalists. Schools submitted performance videos for the juried competition, and student musicians will work with festival adjudicators via Zoom throughout the festival.

Starting tomorrow, we all can enjoy concerts from some of the best in jazz today and hear from those who will be the best of jazz tomorrow.

In all of these situations, the easy thing would have been to say it can’t be done and cancel. The Vandal thing to do, though, was to find a way to make it happen and then use all available tools to make it happen well. That flexibility and resilience is but one of many reasons the Lionel Hampton School of Music is ranked among the top three music schools in the country. Congratulations, and thank you for making “the show must go on” more than just a slogan!

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

Feb. 25-27 – Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, virtual
Feb. 27 – Lookout Pass Vandal Ski Day, Mullen, Idaho
Feb. 27 – Vandal Football Pregame vs. EWU, virtual
March 2 – Cup of Joe with Kelli Johnson '98, virtual
March 4 – Thirsty Thursday Trivia with Latah County Vandal Boosters, virtual
March 6 – Vandal Football Pregame vs. UC Davis, virtual
March 6 – Vandal Ski Day, Girdwood, Alaska
March 11 - All 1960s Grads Call, virtual
March 13 – Vandal Football Pregame at Northern Arizona, virtual
March 17 – St. Paddy's Day Trivia, virtual
March 23-34 – GradFair, virtual
March 27 – Vandal Football Pregame vs. S.Utah, virtual

For information about events, visit the alumni calendar.

For the latest info about VSF events website.

Check the Vandal Scholarship Fund View the 2021 spring football schedule here.

Alumni Board Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Andrew Morgan '15, newly appointed to the University of Idaho Alumni Association Board of Directors. He will represent the mid-west region.

Degree/major(s): B.S. Finance, B.S. Psychology
Hometown: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Q1. What was your favorite or most rewarding class and why? Davis Investment Group in the College of Business and Economics. This class allowed students to learn through experience and collaboration with other students.

Q2. How did U of I prepare you for your career? U of I prepared me to become a well-balanced individual and to always stay curious.

Q3. Why do you choose to serve the Alumni Association? I want to give back to the school that gave so much to me.

Q4. What faculty or staff member was integral to your time at U of I? Magdy Noguera, associate professor of financial in CBE. She was always willing to make time to answer questions and give advice on career planning.

Q5. Share a treasured Vandal memory, either from when you were a student or after graduating. I remain amazed at how willing fellow Vandals are to go out of their way to connect and help each other. It’s really a great community.

Like Father, Like Son (and grandson)

Bill Thurston did not set out to be a doctor like his father and grandfather. Now, he’s proud of that shared connection.

“Dad never pushed me toward medicine,” Bill said. “But when I started to give it serious consideration, he told me ‘If it’s something you want to do, it’s a very fulfilling career.’”

Bill’s grandfather, Walter Dyce Thurston, M.D., practiced family medicine in St. Maries, idaho for 40 years. His father, Rick Thurston, M.D., retired from medicine in his hometown of St. Maries in 2018 after 27 years.

Bill and his father not only share genetics and careers as doctors, they share alma maters, as well. Both have a bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho – ‘13 and ’74, respectively – and as of May 2021, both have earned their M.D. through the WWAMI Medical Education Program at U of I.

Read More >>

Wildfire Smoke Impact

The increase in frequency and intensity of wildfires the past 20 years has prompted studies on the impact of wildfire smoke exposure to human health. But little research has been done on the effects of wildfire smoke to livestock. A new University of Idaho study is starting that conversation.

Ashly Anderson, an animal science graduate student in the U of I College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, is working with Assistant Professor Amy Skibiel and in collaboration with Associate Professor Pedram Rezamand, to look at how poor air quality due to wildfires impacts health and production of dairy cattle.

“We’re just starting to uncover the effects in humans, so livestock and other animal species have taken a back seat to that,” said Anderson. “We haven’t really begun to look at the effects in livestock. It’s not just dairy cattle that there aren’t results. Most animal species don’t have quantified effects of smoke exposure.”

Read More >>

Alumni Programs Highlight

The Office of Alumni Relations hosts virtual pregame events 45 minutes prior to each kickoff during the spring season. Let's rally together with special guests, beverage recipes and tailgate-ready recipes.

RSVP Now >>

As a service to our Vandal Family, U of I offers free planning guides for charitable giving in your will or estate plan. This valuable information can help you take care of your loved ones and establish your legacy with the non-profit causes you care most about.

Get Resources >>

Alumni News

Moscow principal Brian Smith '05 received Idaho's prestigious Gem award for his leadership at the elementary school level.
Read More >>

Cynthia Yee-Wallace '00 and '03 graduate of the College of Law was appointed District Judge to the Fourth Judicial District Court by Gov. Brad Little in January.
Read More >>

Share Your News

Dear Vandals,

It’s been 20 years since the first group of Vandals committed to spend their spring break helping others through the Alternative Service Break (ASB) program offered by the Department of Student Involvement's Center for Volunteerism and Social Action at our alma mater. Since then, nearly 900 students, staff, advisors and community partners have foregone the usual spring break activities, and instead, rolled up their sleeves and tackled a variety of volunteer projects all over the globe.

Over the years, ASB participants have helped to build trails and mitigate invasive species in our national parks. They’ve helped with hurricane clean-up in Puerto Rico and installed plumbing systems in Ecuador. They’ve restored a local schoolhouse in Togo, Africa, and helped to build low-income housing on the East Coast. They’ve gleaned fruits and vegetables for Palouse food banks.

As with most things, the pandemic has altered ASB plans this year, but as with most things Vandal, ASB has pivoted to still make service projects possible. ASB participants will still give back to the community, just very close to home. There will be no group travel; instead, participants will focus on projects in Moscow and the Palouse.

The initial impetus for the ASB program? The desire to provide a way for University of Idaho students to 1) support the larger community and 2) put their skills to work on real world challenges with hands-on experiences. The larger lessons revolve around how to be active citizens, the value of “giving back” and understanding the challenges that exist outside our own communities.

The ASB alumni I’ve met and visited with will tell you their experiences were truly life changing and, in some cases, instrumental in setting their career paths and instilling a lifelong passion for volunteerism. On April 26-30, all of those ASB alums are invited to participate in a virtual 20^th reunion, including daily discussions on different topics and an online gala. Check out the details here (https://www.uidaho.edu/current-students/student-involvement/volunteer/asb/asb-reunion) and/or join the new ASB Facebook group.

Actively serving our communities – large and small, near and far – is a hallmark of what it means to be a Vandal. Congratulations and thank you to the Alternative Service Break program for giving so many the opportunity to demonstrate that.

Go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

March 11 – Cup of Joe:America's Power Grids with Dr. Ed Scheitzer, founder of Schweitzer Engineering, virtual
March 11 – All 1960s Grads Call, virtual
March 14 – Vandal Ski Day, Salt Lake City, Utah
March 17 – St. Paddy's Day Trivia, virtual
March 23-34 – GradFair, virtual
March 25 – 1970s Reunion Decade Call, virtual
March 27 – Vandal Football Pregame vs. S.Utah, virtual
April 3 – Vandal Football Pregame vs. ISU, virtual
April 5 – Cup of Joe: History of the Found Money Fund, virtual
April 6-7 – Vandal Giving Day
April 7 – Silver and Gold Day
April 10 – Vandal Football Pregame vs. EWU, virtual

For information about events, visit the alumni calendar.

For the latest info about VSF events website.

Check the Vandal Scholarship Fund View the 2021 spring football schedule here.

Alumni Board Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Melissa Lowther '08, newly appointed to the University of Idaho Alumni Association Board of Directors. She represents the southwest Idaho region.

Degree: Bachelor of Science, Accounting
Hometown: Pendleton, Oregon

1. Favorite or most rewarding class? Why?
The Integrated Business Curriculum (IBC). I was able to use real-life company cases to learn about how all business disciplines work together.

2. How did U of I prepare you for your career?
Outside academics, U of I taught me the importance of building relationships and to get the most out of an experience. It is important to be engaged within your community.

3. Why do you choose to serve the Alumni Association?
I love the University of Idaho! I want to ensure U of I alumni continue to have a strong connection with the university; ultimately, I think it helps enhance current students' experiences and opportunities.

4. What faculty or staff member was integral to your time at U of I? Why?
Scott Metlen in the College of Business and Economics. He sincerely cared for students (regardless of their major) and was a professor I felt pushed me to rise to my full academic potential.

5. Share a treasured Vandal memory, either from when you were a student or after graduating.
Being a fifth-generation Vandal, I loved seeing places and living experiences I grew up hearing about. Plus, I met my husband at U of I.

A License to Sell

Hanson Brudevold’s goal of becoming a grain buyer has come to fruition, thanks in part to a course at the University of Idaho. Brudevold will graduate in May 2021 with a degree in agricultural economics: agribusiness emphasis and a certificate in agricultural commodity risk management.

He credits an independent study course at U of I for helping him land a position as grain originator for Northwest Grain Growers.

“First job out of college, I’m going to be doing what I love to do,” Brudevold said.

Read More >>

Grizzly Bears Use Cooling Baths to Avoid Heat Stress

Taking a bath to relieve stress isn’t unique to humans. Bears do it too, and although they appear to luxuriate in taking a dip, it likely functions to help them cool down and conserve energy, researchers at the University of Idaho learned.

In a study led by U of I graduate student Savannah Rogers and Associate Professor of Wildlife Sciences Ryan Long, researchers found that grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park take cool water “baths” to help prevent overheating.

Read More >>

Alumni Programs Highlight

America's Power Grid
In this edition of our popular Cup of Joe series, we speak with founder and president of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Dr. Ed Schweitzer. He will discuss the importance of America’s power grids and what brought the Texas grid to the brink of disaster.
RSVP for Link >>

Put your network to work!
Use your social influence to benefit the Vandal student experience during Vandal Giving Day April 6-7. Volunteer to become a vandal Giving Day Ambassador.
Learn More >>

Next Book Club Choice
"Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices... Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?" Read and discuss this dazzling novel as part of the Vandal Book Club.
Learn More >>

Alumni News

College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences graduate Megan Blanksma '97 is among seven legislators and two legislative staff members recently selected to serve on the National Conference of State Legislatures Executive Committee.
Read More >>

Jim Arnold '75 has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering, one of the highest professional distinctions afforded to an engineer.
Read More >>

Share Your News

Dear Vandals,

What do an international journalist, power company executive and career chemist have in common? How about a sugar company CEO, cosmetics company founder, university professor and a mining company leader? Or maybe an entrepreneur serving young women in Africa, a digital platform guru and an author?

As diverse as their backgrounds are, all of the above have two things in common: they are stellar Vandals and they are being honored by the University of Idaho Alumni Association (UIAA).

Usually this time of year, we would be gathering to celebrate our fellow Vandals in person – and we still will once the pandemic is under control and it is safe to do so. For now, though, please join me in congratulating these amazing alumni (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsFam5LwKdc) :

The Alumni Hall of Fame was created in 1962 to recognize alumni who have achieved national or international distinction by their accomplishments and leadership.

• Brian D. Hill ’65, Science, worked for 3M for 34 years before retiring and moving to Portland, Oregon. Brian served the UIAA Board for six years and continues to be a volunteer for U of I in various roles. He received a Jim Lyle Award in 2008. Brian and wife, Gayle, have an endowed Undergrad Research Fellowship, which awards eight fellowships each year.

The Silver & Gold Award was created in 1982 to recognize living alumni who have a distinguished record of achievement and service in their specialized area of endeavor, thus bringing honor and recognition to the university.

• Tim Arnold '82, Mines & Earth Resources, serves as vice president of operations for Pershing Gold Corporation.
• Lisa Grow '87, Engineering, began working for Idaho Power in 1987 and held many engineering positions before moving into management. She was named president of Idaho Power in 2019.
• John McCreedy '84, '87, Letters, Arts & Social Sciences and Law, was named president and CEO of Amalgamated Sugar Company in 2015 after working there for more than 16 years.
• Amanda Moore '06, Business & Economics, co-founded Red Aspen beauty brand in 2017 and serves as its COO. Red Aspen had $1 million in sales in under a year of operating and hit $5 million in sales one year later.
• George Sprenger '74, Science, taught science courses at New Mexico Highlands University for over 30 years, focusing on teaching underprivileged populations of all ages about science and guiding students to academic achievement.
• Andrea Vogt '93, Letters, Arts & Social Sciences, is an international journalist who covered the Amanda Knox trial and has her own media company in Italy.

The Jim Lyle Award was created in 1991 to recognize any living individual or couple who has shown long-term dedication and service to the university and/or the Alumni Association through volunteerism. It is named in honor of Jim Lyle, who served with great distinction as University of Idaho alumni director from 1946-1969.

• Jim Mottern ‘70, Business & Economics, wrote and published a book on the rich history of his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, to celebrate and record the chapter’s 100th anniversary at U of I.

The Brave and Bold Award was created in 2019 to recognize alumni 35 years of age or younger with a distinguished record of professional accomplishments, service to our alma mater and/or service to their community.

• Eric Billings '08, Letters, Arts & Social Sciences, is an associate vice president for Digital Product Management at Ruffalo Noel Levitz (RNL). He also has more than a decade of fundraising experience, most recently as the director of Annual Giving at U of I. Eric is a long-time volunteer for the Alumni Association.
• Peyton McGriff '17, Business & Economics, is founder of Style Her Empowered (SHE), a program in Togo, Africa, that makes education accessible by teaching girls to make their own school uniforms, and providing the money needed to pay for tuition and textbooks.

Because of their accomplishments, every Vandal can stand a little taller and be even prouder of our shared experience. Congratulations and go Vandals!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Alumni Events

March 24 – GradFair, virtual
March 25 – 1970s Reunion Decade Call, virtual
March 27 – Vandal Football Pregame vs. S.Utah, virtual
April 3 – Vandal Football Pregame vs. ISU, virtual
April 3 – Alumni and Friends Easter Egg Hunt, Moscow
April 5 – Cup of Joe: History of the Found Money Fund, virtual
April 6-7 – Vandal Giving Day
April 7 – Silver and Gold Day, wear Vandal gear
April 10 – Vandal Football Pregame vs. EWU, virtual
April 17 - Vandal Football Pregame vs. NAU, virtual
April 17 - Vandal Day of Service, Caldwell, Idaho
April 16-18 – Spring Parent and Family Weekend, virtual
April 21 – Wine Down Wednesday, virtual
April 22 - Thirsty Thursday Trivia, virtual
April 24 – Vandal Day of Service, Boise

For information about events, visit the alumni calendar.

Alumni Award Winner Reactions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsFam5LwKdc

We surprised our 2021 Alumni Association award winners. Watch their reactions.

Alumni Board Volunteer Spotlight

Meet Mark Blickenstaff '16, newly appointed to the University of Idaho Alumni Association board of directors. He represents the Central Region.
Degree: M.S. Movement and Leisure Science
Hometown: Cascade, Idaho

1. Favorite or most rewarding class? Why? College of Education, Health and Human Sciences Professor David Paul’s design and analysis of research course was perhaps my favorite. His course taught me to not accept the conclusions given to me, but dig deeper and draw my own conclusions based on the available evidence.

2. How did U of I prepare you for your career? U of I prepared me for my career by teaching me the value of hard work and perseverance.

3. Why do you choose to serve the Alumni Association? I choose to serve the Alumni Association as a way to give back to the university that influenced my life in almost every aspect.

4. What faculty or staff member was integral to your time at U of I? Why? Professor Sharon Stoll, director of the Center for ETHICS, was by far the most integral to my time at U of I – not only her lessons in class, but outside of class as well.

5. Share a treasured Vandal memory, either from when you were a student or after graduating. Homecoming, always a great time. Now that we’ve relocated, Homecoming will be even more special and memorable.

Learn more about the UIAA >>

New Roads to the Past

Interactive kiosks developed by students deepen tourist experience on Forest Service Historic Roadways

For years, the Nez Perce and the Kootenai Salish people traveled through Idaho via trails that are now historic roadways. These trails – once used for seasonal travel and hunting – now serve as a path to connect all people with the past.

The U.S. Forest Service works to tell the stories of these roadways and maintain access to the trails. Natural resource experts fill the Forest Service, but their knowledge of multimedia storytelling is limited. Through a partnership with the University of Idaho, students provided the modern expertise to tell the stories of these roadways.

Two U of I faculty, Diane Kelly-Riley, associate professor of English, and Karen Thompson, director of professional writing and senior instructor, guided the interdisciplinary student team through the project over two semesters.

Read More >>

Alumni Programs Highlight

Vandal Giving Day
Ambassadors Needed: April 6-7

Vandal Giving Day 2021 starts Tuesday, April 6 at 8 a.m. (PDT). With your help, this 2,021-minute online giving event will raise funds for scholarships and other resources that create a life-changing educational experience for U of I students. Show your support by signing up to be a Vandal Giving Day ambassador. You will receive everything you need to spread the word and encourage giving to this worthy cause.

Sign Up Today >>

Alumni News

College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences graduate Steve Hannah '11 and his team at Micron found a breakthrough way to decrease server storage costs while increasing server speed and reliability.
Learn More >>

Captain Joseph Renner (USAF) '13, graduate of the College of Business, was selected out of an extremely competitive joint service selection process, and is now currently serving as the Deputy Chief of Systems Operations for the White House Situation Room.

Preston Rutledge '76 has joined Rutledge Policy Group, LLC, as a strategic consulting advisor. Rutledge has 25 years of legislative and executive branch experience to counsel clients on issues related to tax, labor, employee benefits and health care policy. Rutledge is a graduate of the College of Business and Economics.
Read More >>

Share Your News

Dear Vandals,

What a difference a year makes! This time last year, we were reeling from the news and uncertainty of the pandemic. Our alma mater had moved all classes online; the majority of students moved home.

Despite – or maybe because of – the events of the time, however, Vandals rallied. We raised $50,000 in emergency funds to support students struggling to buy groceries and stay in school, and then, just a few weeks later, made Vandal Giving Day 2020 the most successful one in our history. Together, we raised nearly $650,000 in just 2,020 minutes. Those dollars supported scholarships, academic programs, student living groups and more.

We rallied because that’s what Vandals do – especially when it comes to helping other members of the Vandal Family. Today, we can all be proud that we found a safe way to return to offering in-person classes sooner than most institutions nationwide.

Fast forward 12 months. Pandemic numbers are dropping; vaccination numbers are rising. We are planning in-person commencement events with safety protocols in place. And, students still need our collective support.

Vandal Giving Day 2021 will run for 2,021 minutes beginning April 6, and there are at least three ways you can make it the same success it was last year. First, sign up to be an ambassador and leverage your social networks to expand the reach of the effort. Or, consider setting up a match or challenge gift for your favorite fund. And, of course, make a gift or multiple gifts. Whether $5 or $5,000, the amount doesn’t matter as much as your participation.

The Vandal Family is a true force of nature when we link arms to help each other and the institution that gave us so much. Here’s to another successful Vandal Giving Day!

Kathy Barnard, '81
Executive Director
University of Idaho Alumni Association

Upcoming Events

April 6-7 – Vandal Giving Day
April 7 – Silver and Gold Day, wear Vandal gear
April 10 – Vandal Football Pregame vs. EWU, virtual
April 17 – Vandal Football Pregame vs. NAU, virtual
April 17 – Vandal Day of Service, Caldwell, Idaho
April 16-18 – Spring Parent and Family Weekend, virtual
April 20 – 1980s Virtual Class Reunion, virtual
April 21 – Wine Down Wednesday, virtual
April 22 – Thirsty Thursday Trivia, virtual
April 22 – 1990s Virtual Class Reunion, virtual
April 24 – Vandal Day of Service, Boise
April 28 – 2000s Virtual Class Reunion, virtual
April 29 – 2010s Virtual Class Reunion, virtual

For information about events, visit the alumni calendar.

Propelling Excellence

2,021 minutes of giving. A lifetime of impact. Vandal Giving Day raises funds for scholarships and other resources that create a life-changing educational experience for U of I students.

Alumni Board Volunteer Spotlight

Erin Jessup '05, '10 is newly appointed to the University of Idaho Alumni Association board of directors. She represents the Northern Idaho Region.
Degree: B.S. Electrical Engineering, M.E. Electrical Engineering
Hometown: Albany, Oregon

1. Favorite or most rewarding class? Why? ECE 525 and ECE 526 Power System Protection and Relaying I & II. These courses were directly applicable to my career at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories.

2. How did U of I prepare you for your career? Experience in SArb, Gamma Phi Beta and teaching courses in graduate school prepared me for a leadership role in my career.

3. Why do you choose to serve the Alumni Association? I love U of I and the unique college experience in Moscow. I’ve always enjoyed giving back to my alma mater so future Vandals can have the great experience that I did when I was in school.

4. What faculty or staff member was integral to your time at U of I? Why? Dr. Joe Law (ECE Department) was always encouraging and supportive and challenged me to learn and grow. He also helped me get my foot in the door at SEL, which has turned into a great career for both me and my husband.

5. Share a treasured Vandal memory, either from when you were a student or after graduating. When I was a senior, we had a really cool senior design project. We used ultracapacitors to invent and patent a new starting system for internal combustion engines. Our team won the Innovation Award at the College of Engineering Senior Design Expo and we were interviewed on the news

Learn more about the UIAA >>

Seeking Experiences
Undergraduate research projects provide hands-on opportunities to learn more.

A love of animals and learning prompted Sarah Peterson to seek opportunities to expand her knowledge beyond the classroom. As an animal and veterinary science student in the University of Idaho’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, she has discovered plenty of ways to get involved. Peterson has participated in four undergraduate research projects to push her studies further.

Read More >>

Vandal Theory Podcast Season 4

The Vandal Theory podcast asks, “What gets University of Idaho researchers’ brains buzzing... besides coffee?” These award-winning stories showcase researchers exploring and solving real-world problems. With interviews and quick updates on all things Vandal, discover the world of U of I research with host Leigh Cooper.

Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform so you don’t miss an episode.

In the first of eight podcasts launched on Mondays, Cooper dives into Project Echo, which connects Idaho’s rural healthcare providers. Director Lachelle Smith talks about the impact.

Start Listening >>

Alumni Programs Highlight

Our class reunion calls have been wildly popular, so we've added more! Graduates of the 80s, 90s, 00s and 10s each have virtual reunion zoom calls perfect for a drop-in to connect or re-connect. Log in to be refreshed on the university, where we are now and what's ahead. Join breakout rooms with old classmates, tell stories and overall catch up on lost time.

RSVP Now >>

Take your Vandal pride with you everywhere you go with the University of Idaho Rewards Visa®.

Learn More >>

Alumni News

Sophie Haussman '19, graduate of the College of Business and Economics, earned her first professional LPGA win at the IOA Championship March 28.
Read More >>

Timothy Stoddard '06, graduate of the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences Lionel Hampton School of Music, recently released his debut EP "Mortally Wounded," composed and workshopped long-distance during the pandemic.
Listen Now >>

College of Engineering graduate Robert Kimble '06 is the new Director of Public Works for Pacific County in Washington state.
Read More >>

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